AN 11-year-old girl was left terrified after a man jumped out from behind a bush and attempted to abduct her as she walked to the shops.

Now her shaken mother is warning other parents of the possible danger and urging them to keep a close eye on their children while police search for the man.

The girl, who has not been named, was walking from her home in Canford Heath to the Somerfield supermarket in Culliford Crescent at around 11.20am on Thursday when the incident occurred.

She had just walked through the subway between Chaldon Road and Somerfield when a young man dressed entirely in black jumped out of an area of shrubs and bushes and grabbed her arm.

Her 38-year-old mother, who has six other children, said: "She struggled and twisted and managed to grab his hand and get it off her.

"He then followed her as she ran off towards Somerfield but stopped when they reached an area that is covered by CCTV cameras. Luckily she's not injured but she's very scared. It's terrifying to think what could have happened to her."

The girl met her sister in the shop and they saw the man again as they walked home, although he made no further attempt to approach her.

Her mum added: "When they came back and told me what happened my first thought was 'Thank God she got away.' I want to warn other parents to keep a close eye on their children."

The incident follows two attempted abductions near Elmrise School in Bournemouth in May this year, when an eight-year-old boy reported being followed and a 10-year-old girl said she was grabbed by two men.

Detective Constable Lee Rutter of Poole CID said it was "very important" that they find the man and speak with him.

He is described as white, in his twenties, five feet eight or nine inches tall with dark eyes and short dark scruffy hair. He has a large moon-shaped purple scar on one cheek and he was wearing a black woollen beanie hat, black t-shirt, black trousers, black trainers and a chunky silver wristwatch.

Anyone with any information should ring Dorset Police on 01202 222500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.